Cleaning Cobwebs (Dec 10, 2010 / 02:09)
Here to sweep off the accumulated dust! November was hectic, pressing for deadlines, endless group meetings and rehearsing for presentations. Drained of energy, I wasn't sure if I would be motivated enough to pull through another week of intense revision for all four of my written papers, 2 on Monday and another 2 on Tuesday. Powell et al's textbook came in handy though! Detached myself from the usual desk, moved to the desk by the window, allocating 1 hour an immersed my mind in revision materials. It helped tremendously! However, truth be told, the time restriction couldn't captivate my fleeting thoughts firmly and thus, I deviated on some occasions. Shall pump in more effort to revise consistently in my final semester.
Though Zipping through 4 papers in 2 days is tough, relishing about the short get-away to Penang with Mom and the relatives made it easier. This time round, I had the chance to trot about Georgetown. Paid visits to religious sites, a favourite with the two elderlies. The Snake Temple, situated on a hilltop was the hardest for Ah-mah. Her aged knees pulled her back many times, but with periodic rests and Mom's arms for support, she managed to pay respects to the holy figures.
Buffet breakfast at the hotel was heavenly. Perfectly scrambled eggs with the scent of milk lingering, mini croissants, fragrant rye bread, coco crunch and honey stars half-drowned in cold milk - all so very westernized. My relatives all dove into asian delights - fried rice, stir fried noodles and vegetables, soon kueh, bee tai mak and the likes.
Apart from shopping at commercialized buildings, we had a glimpse of the day market, which is unlike Singapore's wet markets. Grocers arranged their perishables side by side; butchers displayed large portions of raw pork from meat hangers, the stench unbearable to some; little mountains of prawns were hawkered, with little swatting of flies dancing by; roadside stalls selling trinkets and jewelry, cheap thrills from bargaining a RM10 ring to RM7; perfect sweet dough fritters made on the spot, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside; the most mind-blowing cheap fare ever!!, fresh apom (liken to modern crepes, but of a smaller size), 3 for 1RM ONLY, thin crispy perimeter which is gradually thicker and softer towards the middle; chilled chendol and authentic penang laksa to round up the day's trip. Definitely one of the places that I would visit again! Almost forgot, paper thin popiah skins and tenderlicious bak kwa!!
Altogether, the excess eating before/during examinations plus excessive food tasting in penang, made me balloon to 57kg. Fortunately, the weight has since dwindled.
December is lined up with birthday parties and celebrations/gatherings. Relaxing is priority since it wouldn't be long till the next semester comes chasing away the holiday spirits.
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